This Kung Fu Martial Arts is an almost impossible category. This label is attached to almost any
martial art that comes from China. It is Kung Fu Uniform generic name for literally hundreds
of individual Chinese fighting arts. In reality we should have an entry for each
individual Kung Fu style we are interested in, but this would fill entire
volumes. However, we will do our best.

This is extremely controversial. Most of what appears here is a summary of what
has been learned from Kung Fu
Uniform. There are vague references of a King in China some thousands of
years ago who trained his men in techniques of hand-to-hand combat to use in
fighting against invading barbarians. kung fu martial arts first real references of an organized
system of martial arts came from a man named General Chin Na. He taught a form
of combat to his soldiers which most people believe developed into what is
modern day Chin-Na.

The first written record we have of Chinese martial arts is from a Taoist
acupuncturist from kung fu martial arts 5th century. He describes combat designed along
kung fu martial arts lines
of an animal's movements and style.

Legend has it that a Buddhist monk named
Wing Tsun Kung Fu, also
called Ta Mo, came across kung fu martial arts Tibetan Mountains to China. kung
fu martial arts Emperor of China
at kung fu martial arts time was much impressed with kung fu martial arts man, and gave him a temple located in
Honan - kung fu martial arts famed Sui Lim Monastery (Shaolin Monastery). Ta Mo found that
kung fu martial arts monks there, while searching for spiritual enlightenment, had neglected their
physical bodies. He taught them some exercises and drills that they adapted into
fighting forms. This became kung fu martial arts famous Shaolin Kung Fu system.

"Kung Fu" means "skill and effort". It is used to describe anything that a
person Kung Fu Clothing to
spend time training in and becoming skillful in. (A chef can have good "kung
fu".) kung fu martial arts Chinese term that translates into "military art" is "Wushu". As all
martial arts, Wushu in its early stages of development was practiced primarily
for self-defense and for aquiring basic needs. As time progressed, innumerable
people tempered and processed Wushu in different ways. By China's Ming and Qing
dynasties (1368-1911), Wushu had formed its basic patterns.

Intense military conflicts served as catalysts for kung fu martial arts development of Wushu.
During China's Xia, Shang, and Zhou periods (2000BC to 771BC), Wushu matured and
formed complete systems of offense and defense, with kung fu martial arts emergence of bronze
weapons in quantity. During kung fu martial arts period of Warring States (770BC to 221BC),
kung fu martial arts heads of states and government advocated Wushu in their armies and kept Wushu
masters for their own Kung Fu
Uniform.

Military Wushu developed more systematically during kung fu martial arts Tang and Song dynasty
(618 to 1279) and exhibitions of Wushu arts were held in kung fu martial arts armies as morale
boosters and military exercises. In kung fu martial arts Ming and Qing dynasties,
kung fu martial arts general
development of Wushu was at its height. Military Wushu became more practical and
meticulous and was systematically classified and summarized . General
Kung Fu Clothing of kung fu
martial arts Ming
Dynasty delved into Wushu study and wrote "A New Essay on Wushu Arts", which
became an important book in China's military literature.

The latter half of kung fu martial arts 20th century has seen a great upswing in
kung fu martial arts interest of
Kung Fu world wide. kung fu martial arts introduction of Kung Fu to kung fu
martial arts
Shaolin Kung Fu Products
world has seen to it that its development and popularity will continue to grow.
Wushu is kung fu martial arts branch of martial arts originating in China. It is a modern art
that is mainly sport or demonstration. Not an art dating back centuries, but it
really has its roots in kung fu martial arts circus. Wushu was not practiced by
kung fu martial arts Shaolin
Monks. kung fu martial arts most famous Wushu student is Jet Li. He has his roots in Wushu
competitions and was Champion for many years. He got his big break in movies and
has since made many Hong Kong and American Films.

During kung fu martial arts "Springs and Autumns" period (770-476 B.C.) and "Fighting Kingdoms"
period (475-221 B.C.) greatest Chinese philosophers lived and worked: Konficiy,
Shaolin Kung Fu Products,
Meng-zi, Zhuang-zi. China received spiritual impulse, which had influence on
kung fu martial arts developing of all East Asia during kung fu martial arts next two thousand years. In I century
Buddhism began penetrate in China from India. Not only ordinary soldiers studied
martial arts (even some emperors fought on platforms), and by this reason
chinese martial arts gradually began merge with philosophical systems and
overgrow kung fu martial arts level of simple collection of methods of hand-to-hand combat.
Possibly, it was kung fu martial arts reason due to which they didn't wither during centuries but
developed and are still alive.

Approximately in VI century Indian preacher
Kung Fu to Kung Fu came to
China and preached Buddhism in Shaolin temple near Loyang. Due to legend it was
he who founded famous shaolin style of wushu. Due to legend later shaolin monks
helped to kung fu martial arts second emperor of Tang dynasty - Li Shimin - in returning
kung fu martial arts throne. Li Shimin allowed to kung fu martial arts temple to have its own monk troops. Special
term appeared - wuseng (monk-warrior). During kung fu martial arts Song dynasty (960-1279)
many monks (inkluding wusengs) went out from temples and became common people.
In XIII century shaolin wushu declined due to numerous persecutions on buddhism
and mongolian invasion. In 1224 a young man came into Shaolin temple and took
monk's name Jueyuan. He had seen a pitiful state of temple's wushu and decided
that true tradition is lost. Jueyuan became revive temple's wushu and, actually,
created a new style, which is still alive.

In 1219 when after capturing China Chingiz-khan went to kung fu martial arts west many
Tai Chi Kung Fu and Persians
became moved to China. Such people were called "semu" ("men with colored eyes"),
they had less rights than Mongolian but more than Chinese. In official documents
of Yuan dynasty they were called "huihui". Moved on kung fu martial
arts east Moslem infantrymen
and artillerymen in 1275, due to order of founder of Yuan dynasty "in all places
entered in communities of border inhabitants", became peasants. From these
people, Arabian immigrants (came to China on ships during Tang and Song
dynasties), and Chinese men converted to Islam kung fu martial arts "huizu" nation ("moslems")
was formed. During more than seven hundred years huizu was indissoluble
connected with wushu. They considered wushu as self-defense and as holy action,
stimulated Moslem's spirit.

In 1351-1368 peasant's rebellion of "red bandages", headed by Zhu Yuanzhang (who
also was a big wushu master), finished Mongolian Yuan dynasty and founded Ming
dynasty. Zhu Yuanzhang became its first emperor (dynasty name "Tai-zu"). "Golden
age" of wushu began. In XVI century seaside provinces of China exposed to
devastating raids of Japanese pirates. It was
Chinese Kung Fu (at this
moment he was 27 years old) whom was ordered to "punish kung fu martial
arts bandits and guard
peoples". He was in hard situation: local troops were small, well-prepared
Japanese samurais easy defeated bad organized groups of resistances. Qi Jiguang,
wushu master, decided to attract detachments of local home-guard from wushu
fighters. In 1561 Japanese was defeated in Zhejiang, Fujian and Guangdong
provinces. After promoting to general, Qi Jiguang ordered for all soldiers and
officers to study wushu. On kung fu martial arts base of various systems of military preparing he
wrote a treatise "Jixiao xinshu" ("New book of records about advantages [in war
craft]"). Due to Qi Jiguang XVI century is considered as turning-point in wushu
history.

Ming dynasty is a time of stable systematic developing and of peaceful
coexistence of different schools. But nothing is forever. 1644, june, 6. Beijing
is captured by manzhu troops. Last emperor of Ming dynasty hang oneself on kung
fu martial arts fortress wall. Founded a new dynasty - Qing. This dynasty existed during more
than two hundred years, up to 1911. Center of wushu
Kung Fu Uniforms was moved to
secret societies. During XIX century China was shaked by many rebellions against
manzhu ruling and dominant influence of foreigners. Secret societies, cultivated
different styles of wushu, were targets for striking in kung fu martial arts rebellion of "Eight
trigrams", in Opium wars, in great people's war of Taipings. Rebelion of
ihetuans (1899-1901), also known as "Boxer's rebellion", became an apotheosis of
activity of secret societies.

Rout of Yihetuan rebellion followed to death of many wushu masters. But
traditions of martial arts could not lose without leaving a trace. During Xinhai
revolution (1911-1913) and later, during Warlords Period activity of secret
societies resumed with new power. Goverment of Chinese Republic rendered a great
assistance to wushu developing. First president of China - Sun Zhongshan (also
known as Sun Yatseng) - studied taijiquan
Buy Kung Fu Clothing from
Cai Guiqin.

¡@

His successor - Men's Kung
Fu Clothing (also known as Chang Kaishi) also didn't avoid martial arts, he
visited Guokao ("State test" - something like all-China wushu championship),
which were organized in Nanjing (in that time - capital of China) Central guoshu
institute ("guoshu" means "national art", during Gomindang ruling it was an
official name for wushu), founded in 1928. General Zhang Zhijiang was a rector
of this Institute, he was supported by general Feng Yuxiang. Another big
organization, developed and spread wushu, was Jingwu Assotiation ("Association
of true martial arts") founded in 1909 in Shanghai. Two organizations had
branches in all provinces of China (Jingwu Association - also in other countries
among local Chinese communities: in Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines
etc), great masters worked as teachers. During World War II many wushu masters
fought in army or partisan detachments, made theirs contribution in defeating of
Japan.

When Communist Party come to power,
Kung Fu Clothing
called wushu masters to go out from underground. In 1953 since 8 till 12 of
November First All-China Sport Games took place in Tianjing, 75% of it was wushu
exhibitions. 139 styles were demonstrated, competitions in hand-to-hand combat
(without any gears), weapon combat (on long and short weapon) and lifting of
heavy weights (ancient chinese sport) were held. After seeing such a power
goverment got frightened. Secret societies were dispersed. Simultaneously a
Committee of wushu reforming was organized.

Famous wushu master Kung Fu Wushu
on kung fu martial arts base of huaquan (blossomed fist), zhaquan (fist of Zha), paoquan (cannon
fist) hongquan (fist of stream), piguaquan (fist of chopping and hanging),
shaolinquan (fist of Shaolin temple) and some others created a new sport
competitional style changquan (long fist). On kung fu martial arts base of five style of
Guangdong province (styles of Hong, Cai, Li, Liu and Mo families) it was created
new sport computational style nanquan (southern fist). Names of movements were
changed, as a result movements lost mental contents: realy, "crushing mountain
strike" is different from "fist bang on a palm". During "Great Cultural
Revolution" (1966-1976) wushu lovers were repressed for "indulging of feudal
survivals". But in this time popularity of wushu un foreign countries began
increase due to kung fu movies. For in admission of
Shaolin Kung Fu decreasing of international
prestige wushu was let alone.

¡@

Description

Styles of Kung Fu encompass both soft and hard, internal and external
techniques. They include grappling, striking, nerve-attack and much weapons
training.

Shaolin Wushu Methods
Hard or External Styles
Stresses training and strengthening of kung fu martial arts joints, bones, and muscles
Requires rigorous body conditioning
Consists of positioning and movement of kung fu martial arts limbs and body, correct technique,
muscular strength, speed, etc.
2.Soft or Internal Styles
Stresses development of internal organs where "Chi" is produced
Allows one to develop mental capability to call upon this "Chi"
Concerned with breathing, poise, and tone of kung fu martial arts core body structures
Long or Northern Styles
Stresses Flexibility, quickness, agility, and balance similar to kung fu martial
arts attributes
of a trained and well-conditioned gymnast
Uses many kicks along with hand techniques
Legs specialize in long-range tactics
Short or Southern
Stresses close-range tactics, power, and stability
Uses mostly hand techniques
Kung Fu almost always seems to incorporate forms and routines. They emphasize
solo practice as well as group practice. (They even have forms for two or more
people). They train in multiple types of weapons. There is also a great emphasis
on sparring in kung fu martial arts harder styles, and sensitivity training in
kung fu martial arts soft styles.

¡@

On the surface, Wing Chun is one of the simplest looking systems of Chinese Kung
Fu. Three empty hand forms cover the complete essence of this art. Wing Chun
also uses the long pole and the popular Southern Chinese butterfly knives.
Training in this form of martial art consists of the three forms, sticking
hands, the wooden dummy, sand bag training and finally free style sparring.
However, behind this deceptively simple looking system of Kung Fu is a vast
amount of knowledge - Wing Chun is both simple and elegant, but also very
effective if used in an all out confrontation.
¡@

Economy of motion is at all times implemented through the centerline theory, and
this is the key idea in Wing Chun. Wing Chun was designed by a woman, and in so
doing one must realize from the outset that brute strength has no part in this
style - Correct positioning, feeling, timing, and strategy are relied on
instead, you basically use your opponent's strength to your own advantage!!

Shaolin Wushu styles:

A. External Styles (Hard, Physical)

Description:
Styles of Kung Fu encompass both soft and hard, internal and external
techniques. They include grappling, striking, nerve-attack and much weapons
training.

The Reopening of Shaolin
Around a century or more later, towards the start of 19th Century, the Shaolin
Temples were reopened and included the 5th Shaolin Temple Kwantung (located
around 200 km's southwest of Fukien).

But the rulers of the day were still fearful of the power of the Fighting
Shaolin Monks so they only allowed Shaolin to be used as purely religious
purposes without allowing any Kung Fu or other martial art training by order of
death. The underground, no longer Shaolin but Ming loyalists, were still very
busy making life hard for the Ching's.

The rebellion came to a dead end with the failure of the Boxer rebellion. Now
some 250 years later, after the ousting of the Ming's, the Boxer Rebellion was
to overthrow the Ching Dynasty and reinstate the original descendant of the Ming
Dynasty. For decades, Chinese Martial Artists ( the Brits called this 'funny'
style of fighting Boxing - and the name stuck ) prepared for this event.
practicing hard Kung Fu and Chi Kung body hardening, they attacked. The
Manchu's, now armed with handguns and rifles, totally destroyed the Boxers.

This was the death of the Chinese resistance. Some triad members escaped to
other countries, including the US, Korea, etc. Without a focus some/many triad
members went into a new line of business (and their descendants still are in
this line of work ). This caused another influx of Chinese martial arts into the
Orient, the US and now also the new continent of Australia.

Weather this was related to the Boxer Rebellion or not, the Ching Dynasty
debunked in 1911 (so well represented by the movie 'The Last Emperor' ). The
time of Chaos and Hunger began.

The 3rd Burning of Shaolin
As with the previous times, Shaolin influence, power and Kung Fu ( although
officially forbidden and punishable by death ) was still feared and forbidden
even now almost 300 years after the
Wing Tsun Kung Fu
decree. This possibly led to the 3rd Burning of Shaolin in 1927 AD during Chiang
Kai Check's reign.

Chiang Kai Check himself was a great believer of Kung Fu and although he forbade
all martial art practice he surrounded himself with Kung Fu fighting masters as
his body guard. When he was being threatened and ousted by the newly forming
Chinese Republic, he packed up as much Chinese treasure as he could, took his
wife ( who recently died in the US aged 105 ) and 100 masters and moved to
Taiwan. His arrival had a key influence on that country and greatly 'enriched'
the country.

Cultural Revolution
The cultural revolution was against all matter of religion and martial arts or
anything that would allow individuality, resistance or free thought. If you were
seen to be preaching or teaching anything other than Mao's' words, you were
immediately re-educated or imprisoned.

This was more disastrous to Shaolin Kung Fu (traditional Chinese Medicine and
many 'traditional type disciplines; even Ming Tombs were opened and the wood of
the coffins used for furniture) than anything else as it attacked Shaolin
teachings and style on all fronts, not just Kung Fu, but also Buddhism, Tao'ism,
Healing and any type of organization other than Mao's. This was the final death
of Shaolin, worse than all three previous burnings!

3rd Area of Shaolin
After many successful Chinese Kung Fu movies by Bruce Lee ( presenting Kung Fu
to the world ) and Jacky Chan ( introducing the concept of Shaolin ) and in
particular Jet Li in the movie Shaolin Temple, Officials in Beijing ( means
Northern capitol originally know as Peeking ) started to realize the potential
of Shaolin as marketing tool, but also as heritage! However, the fear and
distrust of Shaolin, its Kung Fu and power was deep. They knew that they needed
some type of 'replacement', some type of art other than Tai Chi and Chi Kung
that was hard, external and athletic to fill this emptiness. This was the
replacement of Kung Fu by Wu Shu, an acrobatic art using Kung Fu movements and
implements.

A respected Chinese official was given the task of breathing life back into
Shaolin. As with many Chinese decisions, it was both a pragmatic decision as
well as financial and historical. The key was to have an art that was dynamic
and in spirit of Shaolin but not Kung Fu. Wu Shu was ideal for this purpose. it
embodied the spirit of Shaolin by providing all the requirements for health and
wellbeing as Kung Fu but focused more on flow and athleticism rather than
technique and fighting. Wu Shu has grown and developed, with the many versions
and adaptations of Kung Fu - in some cases there is very little difference
between the two Taiji Video.

There was a problem though, as Shaolin and it's idea was already 'occupied' by a
whole thriving industry called Shaolin Village and many so called Shaolin temple
training Schools. The re-opening of the Shaolin temple by the "Grand Abbot"
Master Su Xi who's kindness and dedication seem so much similar as the original
founder of Shaolin, gives hope to a new era of Shaolin teaching and Spirit. But
for all his good teaching and kindness, he was also being used.

Animal Wu Shu is being practiced, but not the Shaolin 5 Animals but a new breed
of modern, very athletic and well developed Animal styles including;

What is Shaolin Kung-Fu?
Shaolin Kung-Fu, which originated in the Shaolin Temple in China over Kung Fu Decor,
is considered to be the oldest Martial Art in the world. It is a highly
effective method of self-discipline incorporating breathing techniques similar
to Yoga, body conditioning, ancient art exercises, and various methods of
fighting techniques. The Wu Su style is a vigorous style using powerful but
graceful ballet like techniques, with considerable emphasis on leg techniques
and mental discipline.